What to do if you are pulled over and suspected of a DUI

Let’s be clear, Driving under the Influence is a serious offense for the courts and the law enforcement agencies. Getting caught in a DUI can affect your life in more ways than one. Conviction of a DUI has its own social stigma and legal repercussions. This is why it is important that you know how to react and what steps to take if you pulled over for a suspected DUI.

There are certain steps that best DUI defense attorneys will tell you can help you lower the chances of you getting convicted of a DUI. Make sure you read the following tips and steps carefully and follow it to the core.

Have the Necessary Documents with You

According to the best DUI defense attorneys You should always have documents like your registration number, your insurance card and documents pertaining to the ownership of the vehicle with you at all times. If you are stopped for a DUI, the first thing that the officer would want you to do is show them your necessary documentation. Always be prepared to do that. It is needless to fight the officer over document inspection or to delay showing them the desired documents.

Stay Calm and Don’t Let the Officer Bully You

The worst thing you can do when you are pulled over is get intimidated and let the officer bully you. The key is to stay calm and think straight. If you start to panic or get intimidated that will cloud your judgments and you may end up making rash decision that might hurt your DUI case further. When they pull you over, the officer will try and intimidate you to make confessions. Stay put, don’t make unnecessary comments or provide extra information because that would only hurt you in the long run.

You can refuse the Sobriety Test

If you were drinking and you get pulled over, the officer will ask you to perform one of several tests. This may include asking you to step out of the vehicle and walk in a straight line or to touch your toenails. You are not required to take any of these steps legally. You are well within your rights to refuse taking any of these tests but be polite.

Then you may be asked to take a sobriety test to make sure the officer has chemical evidence against you. Again, you are not under any obligation whatsoever to take the test. There are seldom drivers who pass the sobriety test once they have been pulled over and you should not try your luck. There is some danger in refusing a sobriety test because you may still end up having to spend the night in jail on suspicion of DUI.

Take the Breathalyzer test

If you refuse to take any chemical test you may end up losing your driver’s license. If you don’t want that to happen, you need to take some form of test. It is best if you take the breathalyzer test instead of giving samples of blood and urine etc. Breathalyzer test can be easily challenged in court and it’s the easiest test for lawyers to attack.

If you get pulled over for a DUI and find yourself in a sticky situation, contact us to get the best DUI defense attorneys.